Global Preventive Diplomacy & Peace Initiative

Brings together current and former government leaders, diplomats, international organizations, business, academia and civil society to strengthen dialogue, identify emerging risks and open channels for peaceful engagement before disputes escalate.

Some of the greatest human, economic and geopolitical costs arise when tensions are allowed to develop into crises, and crises into conflict. Once a crisis escalates, the options available to governments and international institutions become more limited, more expensive and more difficult.

Preventive diplomacy often requires something formal channels cannot always provide: a credible, independent and nonpartisan environment where parties can engage beyond political constraints and established negotiating structures. An initiative led by one government may be viewed through the lens of that government’s interests. United World Leaders can provide neutral institutional territory.

The Initiative is designed to complement, not replace, governments, the United Nations, regional organizations and diplomatic institutions. No single government, bloc, organization or participant should control it or be able to prevent constructive engagement among others.

Its potential areas of engagement include early dialogue on emerging tensions; informal and Track II diplomacy; confidence-building; mediation; economic, trade and technology disputes; resource and environmental conflicts; humanitarian crises; and intercultural and interfaith dialogue.

Preventive diplomacy is hard to measure, because its greatest successes are events that never occur: a conflict that never begins, a relationship that never collapses. The most effective time to resolve a conflict is before it becomes one.

An invitation to lead

Individuals and organizations interested in leading, joining or supporting the Global Preventive Diplomacy & Peace Initiative are invited to write to opportunities@unitedworldleaders.org.